Join KidneyNation and fund the fight

KidneyNation is the American Kidney Fund's online fundraising community empowering everyone–kidney patients, loved ones, friends, and advocates–to fund the fight against kidney disease. Joining is all about forming one community and saving lives. Become a fundraiser today and help fund the fight. Your passion, your creativity and your story can help others in need.

HONOR: Honor a loved one or remember someone special by creating a fundraising campaign. Your fundraising and personal tribute to your loved one will make a difference in the lives of countless others fighting kidney disease.

CREATE: Anything is possible and you can fund the fight against kidney disease your own way! Whether it’s a BBQ, bake sale, game night or community event, you are empowered to fund the fight in your own creative way.

COMPETE: When you run, bike, walk or play a sport, you can raise money to help kidney patients. Joining KidneyNation to fundraise is the first step in your race to fund the fight.

Click when you’ve decided which way to fundraise and a registration form will open for you to complete. Once you have completed the registration form, a personal fundraising website will be created for you. You will be taken immediately to your website where you can make changes, tell your story, upload pictures and get started fundraising.

Our KidneyNation team will reach out to you by phone and email after you join. We are available to help you with your fundraising campaign, share tools and ideas and cheer you on to success!

If you have questions or need help registering to fundraise, please call the KidneyNation team at 240.292.7056 or email Martin McNutt, Director of Community Engagement (mmcnutt@kidneyfund.org).

Why should I join KidneyNation?

When you fundraise for the American Kidney Fund through KidneyNation, patients undergoing dialysis receive direct support in their fight for survival. Our direct support ensures that every patient has access to lifesaving medical care, including dialysis and transplantation. In addition, the dollars you raise support prevention activities and top-rated health educational resources so everyone at risk of kidney disease is empowered to prevent it.

Your fundraising efforts directly help patients in need and people at risk for kidney disease. You make an incredible difference, that is why you should join and that is why we need you as a member of KidneyNation!

FAQs about fundraising for AKF

GENERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT AKF:

How much of the money I raise is spent on programs and patient support?

Ninety-seven cents ($0.97) of every dollar ($1.00) we spend goes directly to programs and services.

Thanks to the generosity of many Americans who care about their friends and neighbors with kidney disease, in 2016, more than 98,000 people—1 out of every 5 U.S. dialysis patients—received financial assistance from the American Kidney Fund, enabling them to access lifesaving medical care, including dialysis and transplantation.

How do charity watchdog groups rate the American Kidney Fund?

AKF provides critically needed services while maintaining the top 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, the nation’s leading charity watchdog agency. For our excellent fiscal management, we are proud to be on Charity Navigator’s list of top 10 charities in the United States, out of 8,000 reviewed. We spend 97 cents of every donated dollar on programs that directly serve patients. In December 2015, Consumer Reports named AKF as an example of one of the “Best Charities for Your Donations.” In addition, we hold an A+ rating from CharityWatch; adhere to the National Health Council Standards of Excellence; and have earned a seal from the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance.

I have never done this before. Where do I get started?

Our KidneyNation team has all the confidence in you! Your passion and commitment will be your guide. We have also developed a KidneyNation toolkit for fundraisers. You may CLICK HERE and read about getting started.

You can also watch THIS VIDEO about how to get started with a KidneyNation campaign today!

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ONLINE FUNDRAISING PLATFORM:

Is my online information and the information of my donors secure?

Absolutely. The security and confidentiality of your information is our highest priority. We use industry-standard SSL (secure socket layer) technology to protect your information and provide a safe and secure environment for online donations. We will not sell, trade or share your personal information with anyone else, nor send donor mailings on behalf of other organizations, and we will only share personal information if you have given us specific permission to do so.

Are the donations people give to my online fundraising campaign tax-deductible?

Yes. We are a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and these donations are tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law. For your donors to claim a donation as a deduction on their U.S. taxes, they must keep the email donation receipt as official record. We'll send it to them upon successful completion of their donation.

QUESTIONS ABOUT HOSTING FUNDRAISING EVENTS:

Can I plan an event, like a bake sale, community walk or car wash, to fundraise?

Yes. We encourage people to host well-planned and reasonable fundraising events within their communities and networks.

Do I have to start an online fundraising page for my event?

No BUT, we STRONGLY encourage all fundraisers to start an online fundraising page in order to collect donations in a secure manner. One of our team members can help you format your personal fundraising page in order to explain the details of your event.

If I plan a fundraising event, will AKF staff be able to help me organize my event?

We are available to talk with you about your plans and event via phone calls or emails, but unfortunately, we don't have the resources to assist you in organizing your event. We want each fundraiser to have a good plan in place as they strive to raise money. Our staff can help you prepare a good plan and encourage you as you execute your own event.

Can the AKF assist in covering any costs associated with my event?

Unfortunately, we do not have funds to pay any costs associated with third-party fundraising events.

Will AKF provide educational materials such as brochures, fundraising materials like donation forms and some signage for my event?

Yes. With advance notice and within reasonable quantities we can provide materials if they are available.

Will an AKF representative attend the event?

Because of the many events hosted across the country and the limited number of AKF staff, our staff members are generally unable to attend third-party events.

Can I use the KidneyNation and American Kidney Fund logo in any promotion for my event?

Yes, however, you must reach out to the KidneyNation team and sign a brief waiver. Please email Martin McNutt at mmcnutt@kidneyfund.org to receive and sign a copy of the waiver.

Can I provide receipts or an acknowledgment letter from the American Kidney Fund to people who give cash at my event?

Only those donations made online and checks written directly to AKF and sent to our office will be receipted/acknowledged individually. That is why we strongly encourage you to create an online fundraising website. IRS regulations do not allow receipts to be given by anyone but the staff of the organization to whom the gift is given. A member of our staff can work with you to provide you with the proper forms to fill out to account for the donations you receive at your event.

Can I use AKF’s tax-exempt status when purchasing materials?

No. Third-party event organizers cannot use AKF’s tax exemption status in conjunction with the event. However, we can provide a verification letter confirming your intent to raise funds for the American Kidney Fund. You can submit this letter to businesses and others as you ask for support for your event.

How soon after the event must I submit the off-line funds that have been raised?

Within five days of your event, please send the funds you have raised with an accounting of those funds to:American Kidney FundKidneyNation Fundraising Events11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300Rockville, MD 20852

For additional questions about hosting an event, fundraising tools or how to use your KidneyNation online fundraising page, please call Martin McNutt at 240.292.7056 or email at mmcnutt@kidneyfund.org.